Charges reduced in abuse case

COLDWATER — Former child care provider Laura Smith will serve no more than 30 days after pleading no contest to domestic violence in a plea bargain dismissing a felony child abuse charge.

Smith, 34, was charged and arrested for third degree child abuse after she allegedly spanked a three-year old boy Jan 3.

Defense attorney Fred Taylor III said under the agreement at the end of a one year probation the case would be dismissed, her record cleared, and the case file sealed.

The Department of Human Services (DHS) and Michigan State Police were called into investigate after a hand print was found on the boy’s buttocks. Another child at the home on Clarendon Road told investigators the boy was struck five times for not taking his nap.

Smith passed a polygraph in the case according to Taylor. He pointed out that DHS already took administrative action to revoke her day care license.

Branch County District Judge Brent Weigle ordered no unsupervised contact with unrelated children or the victim. The Judge said he would consider whether to impose any jail time or to allow the deferred sentence when Smith comes back August 12 following a presentence investigation.